NASSAU, Bahamas — Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine announced Friday, July 16, his decision to run as an independent candidate for the constituency in the upcoming general election, The Tribune reported.
The outspoken MP’s decision follows years at odds with the party (the governing Free National Movement).
His announcement came a day after the Free National Movement ratified officer-in Charge of Road Traffic in Grand Bahama Welbourne Bootle for Pineridge.
During a press conference Friday, Mr McAlpine said Mr Bootle’s ratification was a tool not only to force him out as representative of Pineridge, but out of the party.
He said he did everything he could to maintain the tenets of the FNM, under whose umbrella he was elected, but Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ leadership strayed from the original course of the party’s successive leadership leading to his decision.
He said the FNM government under its present leadership seemed agitated and combative in the face of challenges to be accountable and transparent.
Nonetheless, Mr McAlpine maintained that the people of his constituency received good representation.
“Through my representation and vocalisation on behalf of the people of Pineridge, Pineridge has blossomed from an ordinary constituency to national recognition,” the MP said. “Pineridge, during this parliamentary session, was well represented on the local and national stage like never yet before.
“As a Member of Parliament under the Free National Movement, I have done all I could to maintain the tenets and doctrinal foundations laid down by the forefathers of this political organization: the likes of Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield and others, who embraced democracy and freedom of speech.
“The present FNM under the leadership of the Hon Hubert A Minnis seems, in my opinion, to have strayed from the original FNM course of successive leadership.
“The FNM today as we know it has become a disappointment for many Bahamians who once wholeheartedly supported the political organisation in support of democratisation and its governmental ability…” See complete article in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2021/jul/16/mcalpine-run-independent-candidate/
